Shattered Illusions: Love, Lies, and Redemption

She was still struggling with postpartum depression back then; returning to Zion City or seeing Remington again had never crossed her mind.

It wasn't about provoking Remington. But who knew he'd react like a madman upon hearing the news?

"Just call him brother already!" Remington's voice was deep and firm once again.

Lizetta's chest heaved slightly. "Why should I listen to you? Open the car door, or I'm calling the cops!"

As she reached for her phone, Remington just watched her.

"Go ahead, call them. I won't let you out of the car unless you agree to call him brother."

His voice was cold and stubborn.

Lizetta paused, her finger hovering over the dial button, realizing he wasn't joking.

Even if the police came, he wouldn't let her go. She couldn't afford to lose face over something so trivial, not when he was ready to lose everything.

Outside the car window, Jerome was visibly getting anxious and impatient, knocking on the window more forcefully.

"Mr. Dashiell, open the door this instant!" he demanded.

Lizetta closed her eyes for a moment, tired and exasperated as she looked at Remington.

"Can you stop being so childish? It's just a title..."

Her words were cut off by his hoarse voice.

"But the title 'brother' is rightfully mine, holding all our memories and stories, Liz. You can resent me, hate me, ignore me, but you can't cruelly erase the pure memories we shared..."

Perhaps the atmosphere in the car was too oppressive, but Lizetta could hear a slight tremble in his voice.

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words got stuck.

She thought back to earlier in the country club's restroom, when he mentioned washing clothes forher as achild, and her mind flooded with similar moments.

Memories came crashing over her like waves, nearly overwhelming her.

She had grown from a child to a woman at the Dashiell family home, by Remington's side.

The brother had been there through

every phase of her life. As she

struggled to breathe, she saw him

slightly turn his head, a layer of sadness glistening in his deep, cool eyes.

"Liz, even if we're not spouses or lovers, I'm still your brother. You can't call anyone else brother unless I'm dead!"

Or, if she called someone else brother, he'd make sure they wouldn't live to hear it again.

Even if she no longer called him brother, he wanted her to only think of him when she thought of a brother, no one else.

Remington turned back to her, his gaze cold again, but his expression more obsessive than ever.

Lizetta had no doubts; if she resisted, he would only get crazier.

Her throat felt choked, and with a tremble of her lips, she heardMaterial © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Jerome outside, clearly becom.net

more worried, instructing hiso bodyguards.

"I get it, I'll think about it! Now open the car door!"

Though she didn't agree outright, Remington knew her well enough to know she was serious.

He softened, quickly pinching Lizetta's puffed-up cheeks like he used to when they were younger.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Leaning forward, he opened the car door.

Lizetta quickly stepped out, and the next second, Jerome, looking worried, pulled her aside.

Meanwhile, with a glance from Jerome...

Bang!